unionize

especially British, un·ion·ise

[yoon-yuh-nahyz]

verb (used with object)

unionized, unionizing 

1. to organize into a labor union; bring into or incorporate in a labor union.

2. to subject to the rules of a labor union.

3. Obsolete.,  to form into a union.

verb (used without object)

unionized, unionizing 

1. to join in a labor union.

2. Obsolete.,  to form a union.

unionize

/ ˈjuːnjəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. to organize (workers) into a trade union

2. to join or cause to join a trade union

3. (tr) to subject to the rules or codes of a trade union

4. to join or become joined in marriage or civil partnership

Other Word Forms

• unionization noun
• unionizer noun
• overunionize verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unionize¹

First recorded in 1835–45; union + -ize

Example Sentences

What Democrats propose in the face of growing economic inequity are more jobs, a higher minimum wage, support for workers to unionize and better social safeguards.

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The deeper problem is that union contracts apply to every unionized worker, even though many have legitimate reasons to want to reach agreements with their employers directly.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Under federal law, employees in the U.S. can unionize by holding an election or reaching a voluntary agreement with their employers for a specific union to represent them.

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If the company declines, employees can have the National Labor Relations Board schedule an election on the question of unionizing with UFCW.

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Accordingly, the act’s very purpose was to protect the workers’ collective bargaining rights — their right to unionize and through a union to negotiate wages and working conditions.

Read more on Los Angeles Times